World Cup referee confronted at airport ahead of – Sports News
Ivan Barton refereed Switzerland’s penalty shootout win over Colombia within the Round of 16 (Image: Getty Images)
FIFA is dealing with scrutiny because the referee assigned to the World Cup semifinal between France and Spain is an official who has beforehand been embroiled in controversy.
On Thursday in Boston, France — propelled by an in-form Kylian Mbappe and one other surprising standout efficiency — clinched a 2-0 victory over Morocco to advance to the World Cup semifinals.
France will meet Spain in Dallas after supersub Mikel Merino as soon as again struck late as La Roja defeated Belgium.
France had already navigated a contentious officiating state of affairs towards Morocco.
All 5 match officers — head referee Facundo Tello, assistant Jan Pablo Belatti, assistant Gabriel Chade, fourth official Dario Herrera, and reserve assistant Cristian Navarro — have been from Argentina, marking the primary 2026 World Cup match that includes an whole officiating crew from one nation.
Barton is an established referee however the 2023 Nations League conflict noticed followers confront him on the aircraft (Image: Getty Images)
With Argentina set to face England for a spot within the World Cup closing, quite a few followers raised issues about whether or not France would obtain neutral refereeing.
Now, it seems Les Bleus and Spain could each get equitable remedy, although the referee for Tuesday’s semifinal has confronted controversy beforehand.
El Salvador’s Ivan Barton will oversee the all-European encounter, however questions on his neutrality arose in November 2023.
He was accused of making calls favoring Mexico during a match towards Honduras, together with including an distinctive quantity of added time.
Barton allowed 9 minutes of stoppage time, which prolonged to 12 because the tying purpose got here within the a hundredth minute. There was additionally a disputed foul within the buildup to Edson Alvarez’s purpose.
During the penalty shootout, two penalties missed by Chino Huerta have been retaken, and the third, which he did rating, also needs to have been retaken as a result of goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon entered the penalty space to assert that goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar had been despatched off for a double yellow card.
Following the match, a video circulated on digital platforms displaying referee Barton at the Mexico City Airport.
In the pictures, the official is seen carrying sun shades and headphones, apparently unaware of the mounting backlash — however Honduran supporters have been on the identical flight.
Several followers brazenly voiced their frustration with Barton’s calls during the match. Despite the backlash and grievances, the referee appeared to dismiss the allegations of favoritism and has remained silent.
The extra stoppage time and late equalizer finally noticed Mexico advance on penalties, knocking Honduras out of the Nations League.
Jorge Salomon, president of the Honduran National Soccer Federation (FENAFUTH), vowed he would take legal motion over the officiating.
World Cup supporters shall be hoping Barton can ship an neutral, incident-free efficiency when France faces Spain in Dallas on Tuesday.
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